Movie review by Rashid Irani: Step Up 5 is predictable but exuberant

The fourth sequel to the smash hit 2006 original, Step Up: All In brings together a dozen-odd dancers from the previous installments for a showdown on a reality TV contest. The outcome may be predictable but it conjures enough exuberance to captivate an undemanding teen audience. In her directorial debut, celebrated choreographer Trish Sie combines a laughably bland plot with spectacular dance routines.

The spotlight is on a couple of down-on-their-luck hoofers. Realising that her career is in trouble, she (Evigan) teams up with a street-wise crew to flaunt her terpsichorean skills. Reduced to working as a handyman at a dance studio, he (Guzman) still refuses to hang up his hopes of winning the high-stakes championship. The competition culminates in a flurry of gobsmacking moves.

The fresh-faced cast demonstrates a strong screen presence. The soundtrack is peppered with snatches of peppy tunes by Afrojack, Method Man and Celestine. With the exception of the murky and unnecessary use of 3D …All In is a Step Up in the right direction for the youth-oriented series.